Sugar

food · chemistry · carbohydrates · energy

Simple and compound. There are two main types of sugar: simple sugars (like glucose and fructose) that are single molecules, and compound sugars (like sucrose) that are two simple sugars stuck together.

Sucrose is white sugar. The white sugar you see in sugar bowls and baking ingredients is almost completely pure sucrose, which is a compound sugar made from two simpler sugars bonded together.

Your body breaks it down. When you eat compound sugars, your digestive system breaks them apart into simple sugars so your body can use them for energy.

Found everywhere in food. Sugar naturally appears in fruits, milk, and honey, and it's added to many processed foods and treats to make them sweet.

Quick energy source. Simple sugars like glucose are especially important because your body can use them right away for energy to move, think, and play.